It had been almost two months since Buffy had been back, two months of
Buffy you're looking great today, Buffy how are you feeling, Buffy nothings
changed, Buffy its back to normal now your back. Boy were here friends
wrong, every thing was not normal, and everything had changed. Months had
past and they acted as if she was never gone, which you would think it
would be good but it wasn't. In the time she was gone her friends had
changed, she had changed yet they didn't understand that. They were only
looking out for her but the constant caring was getting annoying, they
didn't understand that she needed space and time. Funny enough the only
person who really gave her space was Spike, whenever he saw her he shrunk
away as if he were scared of her. I guess out of all the gang he was the
only one who knew what it was like to die.

She had wanted to talk to him for awhile now, to thank him for looking
after Dawn. Willow had told her that while she was away he never left
Dawns side no matter what the Scoobies said, he stuck by her. Now it had
been days since Dawn had seen him, she talked to him the day before but he
hadn't been around.

"Buffy stop daydreaming and lets go we still have to go to the magic shop
and you promised to take me shopping were leaving tomorrow remember"

Buffy looked at Dawn blankly then realised she had been talking to her

"Umm yeah lets go"

Buffy and Dawn left there house and made there way out to the car. Getting
her license was the one of the first things Buffy did when she got back.
Kind of a new life resolution, do anything you want and have no regrets,
change the past, live.

"Listen Dawn" Buffy began pulling out of the driveway "I am not to thrilled
about going into the wilderness for 2 weeks with the gang". That was a
total understatement she loved her friends but she needed time to figure
her self out. Find out who the real Buffy was.

"For starters Buffy its not the wilderness it's a great camping ground with
showers and everything and you wont need to worry because ill be in L.A
with Cordy so ill be fine"

Buffy looked at her sister and smiled "Yeah reminding me that your staying
with Cordy is supposed to make me not worry, but its not that, its just."

Dawn looked at Buffy scared "Buffy what's wrong"

"Nothing, nothing" she said reassuring her "Its just since I came back they
have been a bit much you know way over protective, like super Giles or
something"

"Gee that sounds familiar"

"I wasn't that bad" she said trying to hide her smile "I know they are
trying to protect me. I know they love me, I love them too but since Giles
left they have taken over the parent figure and its kinda wiggen me out"

"Yeah I figured that, when you first came back and they we all living at
home you were weird"

"Gee thanks Dawn"

"No what I mean is now when we are at home your cool, you laugh you have
fun, but when your with them your like putting on an act, you know"

"Am I that obvious, I didn't think anyone would notice" she asked
sheepishly

"Well so far only me and Spike can tell so no"

Spike it always came back to Spike, she could never fool him. Spike knew
her inside and out yet he had known her for less time that Willow or
Xander.

"Dawn what was he like when I was gone"

Dawn thought for a moment then took a deep unneeded breath. "Weird, he
totally freaked us all out. He like spaced out for like five minutes
crying then he saw me and pulled it all together. he said he promised you
that he would protect me, take care of me and that's what he did. You know
what I never really thought about it till you asked, he went through a lot
"

Wow he actually listens to what I told him Buffy thought. top of new life
resolution list deal with Spike, second on the list, smack myself in the
head for not doing it sooner. Two weeks in the woods would probably change
her mind about talking to Spike, her friends badgering her would cement it.
She really needed to talk to Spike and she really wanted time on her own.

"That's not looking sick" she said happy to know that her sister was going
to be alright. Dawns life broke down when Buffy died and the only thing
that kept her alive was Spike. If Buffy was going to stay home for awhile
on her own, she might consider asking Spike to patrol. If Spike could keep
her alive then there was still some hope that Buffy would come out of this
rut she was in.

~TBC~

Authors Note: well that's the first chapter what do you think? This is
going to be a Buffy Spike story. Probably not the most believable story
but if you like those stories that are lovey dovey and kinda corny at the
same time you will like this story so I suggest you read more. Any
suggestions on how to make this story are greatly appreciated don't
hesitate to e-mail me Sunsetali@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: I only own the story and nothing else.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.